One of the most important responsibilities of any municipal government is to provide for the economic and cultural growth of the community while safeguarding the rights of the individuals that make up that community. At times, the ability to provide for the public good requires municipalities to exercise the power of eminent domain granted by state authority. The prudent use of eminent domain, when excercised in the sunshine of public scrutiny, helps achieve that greater public good. Used carefully, it helps create hope and opportunity for people and communities that have little of both.
States grant the authority for localities to exercise the power of eminent domain. The National League of Cities urges Congress not to preempt or displace state laws and constitutions that govern the local application of eminent domain.
Advocacy
2005 Eminent Domain Issue Paper
2006 National Municipal Policy
2006 Community and Economic Development (CED) Policy Chapter
2006 Finance, Administration, and Intergovernmental Relations (FAIR) Policy Chapter
2006 CED Resolutions
2006 FAIR Resolutions
Letters to Congress:
11/03/05 Letter to House Judiciary Committee opposing H.R. 4128 (Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2005)
Testimony:
9/22/05 NLC 2nd Vice President Mayor Bart Peterson, Indianapolis, IN Testifies on Eminent Domain
9/19/05 Mayor Perez, Hartford, CT Testifies on Eminent Domain
Court Cases:
Kelo v. New London Amici Briefs and Case History
City Examples
View a list of how cities have used Eminent Domain for revitalization
Nation's Cities Weekly Articles
10/24/2005 Senate Passes Eminent Domain Amendment
09/26/2005 Local Officials Tell Congress About the Importance of Eminent Domain
09/05/2005 Expectations for City Issues as Congress Returns
08/29/2005 State Legislators Speak Out Against Federal Preemption
08/15/2005 Local Franchise Authority, Eminent Domain Key Issues During Congressional Recess
08/08/2005 Local Franchise Authority, Eminent Domain Key Issues During Congressional Recess
07/11/2005 Privatized Neighborhoods: The Future We Want?
06/27/2005 Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Eminent Domain
04/04/2005 Local Franchise Authority, Eminent Domain Key Issues During Congressional Recess
02/28/2005 Supreme Court Hears Eminent Domain Case
02/28/2005 Cities Need the Authority to Promote Economic Development
01/31/2005 State Leagues, NLC File Briefs in Eminent Domain Case
10/18/2004 NLC to Intervene on Behalf of City in Eminent Domain Case
10/18/2004 Eminent Domain Vital to Local Economic Development
Press Releases
6/23/2005 Supreme Court Decision in Eminent Domain Case Supported by Cities
2/18/2005 Officials to Comment on Critical KELO Case Involving Economic Development Powers
Research Reports
Land Use and Development Challenges in America's Cities
Beyond Kelo: Actions, Responses and Credit Quality, Fitch Ratings |